Senior Clinical Research Scientist Jobs in California

Senior Clinical Research Scientist jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and medical device sectors that anchor the state's life sciences economy at every level from associate scientist through principal investigator. The largest hiring hubs are San Diego, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Los Angeles, where companies like Genentech, AbbVie, and Amgen maintain significant California operations. Oncology, immunology, and rare disease trials are the most in-demand specializations across these markets. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles9
Top employerMeta
Top cityNovato, CA
Cities hiring7
Work type60% On-site
Top industryBiotechnology

Showing 5 of 9+ Senior Clinical Research Scientist jobs

Research Scientist, Clinical AI Evaluation Lead
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Added 1w ago
Research Scientist, Clinical AI Evaluation Lead
Meta
Burlingame, California
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Data Science
ML (Machine Learning)
$184k - $257k/yr
10,000+

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Senior Clinical Research Scientist
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Added 1w ago
Senior Clinical Research Scientist
Noctrix Health
Pleasanton, California
Clinical Support
Healthcare Administration
Medical Coding & Billing
$130k - $150k/yr
Hybrid
Doctoral degree in neuroscience

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Principal Clinical Research Scientist (Hybrid)
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Added 1mo ago
Principal Clinical Research Scientist (Hybrid)
Ceribell, Inc
San Jose, California
Clinical Trials
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
$168k - $185k/yr
Hybrid
Doctoral degree in epidemiology
51-200

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Senior Clinical Research Scientist
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Senior Clinical Research Scientist
Abbott
Alameda, California
Engineering (Non-Software)
Mechanical Engineering
Specialized Engineering
$114k - $228k/yr
Bachelor's degree in biological science
10,000+

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Clinical AI Research Scientist
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Added 3mo ago
Clinical AI Research Scientist
KINETIC SYSTEMS, INC
San Francisco, California
Biotech & Life Sciences
Environmental & Physical Sciences
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
1,001-5,000

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See All 9 Senior Clinical Research Scientist Jobs in California

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Senior Clinical Research Scientist Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Novato
2 jobs
San Francisco
2 jobs
Alameda
1 job
San Jose
1 job
Burlingame
1 job
Pleasanton
1 job
Los Angeles
1 job

Senior Clinical Research Scientist Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Meta1 open role
Abbott1 open role
Ceribell1 open role

Top Industries Hiring

  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
  • Education
  • Healthcare & Medical Services

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in senior clinical research scientist jobs across California.

  • Advanced degree (PhD or MS) in a life science field required or strongly preferred
  • Minimum five years of clinical trial management or pharmaceutical research experience
  • Hands-on knowledge of ICH-GCP guidelines and FDA regulatory requirements
  • Experience writing or reviewing clinical study protocols, reports, and regulatory submissions
  • Proficiency with clinical data management systems and electronic data capture platforms
  • Strong cross-functional collaboration skills working with biostatistics, medical affairs, and regulatory teams

Senior Clinical Research Scientist Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a senior clinical research scientist in California?

A master's degree or doctorate in a life science discipline is the standard foundation, with most California employers expecting several years of direct clinical trial or drug development experience before considering candidates for a senior designation. California does not issue a state license specific to clinical research scientists, but many hiring managers value the Certified Clinical Research Professional credential from the Society of Clinical Research Associates as a recognized marker of competence. Large Bay Area and San Diego biotech employers typically promote from within or recruit scientists with a demonstrated record in protocol development and regulatory submission work.

Which companies hire senior clinical research scientists in California?

Employers hiring senior clinical research scientists in California right now include Meta, Abbott, and Ceribell, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. California's dense concentration of biotechnology headquarters and pharmaceutical regional offices means openings arise consistently across both large multinationals and well-funded clinical-stage companies headquartered in San Diego and South San Francisco.

Which California cities have the most senior clinical research scientist jobs?

Novato, San Francisco, and Alameda are the California cities with the most senior clinical research scientist openings. San Diego and the San Francisco Bay Area drive the bulk of demand because they host the country's two largest biotech and pharmaceutical clusters, while Los Angeles generates openings through academic medical centers, contract research organizations, and a growing number of oncology-focused companies expanding their clinical operations in the region.

Are there remote senior clinical research scientist jobs in California?

Yes, and more than many lab-based science roles, because a meaningful share of senior clinical research scientist work involves protocol writing, data review, regulatory correspondence, and cross-functional coordination that can be done off-site. About 40% of senior clinical research scientist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of October 2026. The functions most commonly offered remotely are clinical operations oversight, medical writing, and vendor management, while roles requiring hands-on site monitoring or laboratory involvement remain predominantly on-site.

How can I get hired as a senior clinical research scientist in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is a clinical research coordinator or research associate role at a California academic medical center or contract research organization, which provides hands-on trial exposure without requiring prior industry experience. University of California health system sites and Children's Hospital Los Angeles run structured clinical research training programs and hire coordinators who then advance internally. Building familiarity with FDA-regulated trial processes, completing a Good Clinical Practice certification, and targeting associate scientist postings at San Diego or Bay Area biotechs with active Phase II and III pipelines are the steps that most consistently open the door to a senior role.

Where can I find and apply to senior clinical research scientist jobs in California?

You can find and apply to senior clinical research scientist jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and medical device sectors. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly from the listings on this page.

See All 9 Senior Clinical Research Scientist Jobs in California

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